after 3 alternators i decided they aren't the issue.. any way its a 1989 firebird formula with 305 tbi. initially a two wire pigtail on alternator (light brn/ with white strip and a 12g red wire) i believe the red wire is the signal (it does receive a 12v signal at the pigtail) and from what i can collect the brn/white wire is just a signal for the fan relay and gauge cluster. i replaced the pigtail with a 3 wire pigtail from autozone and spliced the 3rd wire (which i believe to be used from an ignition on terminal) into the 12v red signal wire. still no charge comes from the output terminal on the back of the alternator.. i even cleaned the grounds on the block and next to battery, tried running a separate wire straight from the battery to the number 1 terminal on the alternator. still nothing out? what am i missing, is the 12v excite signal not all it takes to activate my starter?

 

Is this a CS130 alternator? If so look at the pigtail connector and look for the molded in letters. Usually with a car that has a dash voltage gauge, GM ran an ignition switched wire to the F (field) terminal. That is what activates the alternator (that and when it spins).

If the dash only has a volts idiot light check the wire in the L (lamp) terminal. That too is ignition switched and is provided through the dash V lamp.

RBob.